Matt Mahalak, G, Plymouth WhalersThe Plymouth goaltender really stepped up his game in the final few weeks of the season and will certainly benefit from the stellar play. Mahalak has good size, challenges shooters well and shows a much improved and consistently developing athleticism that have led ISS scouts to believe that this is just a glimpse of things to come from the young American netminder. Expect at least a couple of teams to be keen on taking a chance on Mahalak with the hopes that his potential continues to grow.

Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea HCThe big Swedish defender got some great experience going all the way to the Elitserien finals with his team before eventually falling in 5 games. Larsson logged good minutes throughout the playoffs, played in most crucial situations and looked like a wily veteran for the most part. He remains a contender for the top overall pick and is still perhaps the player in this draft who is the most ready to step right into an NHL lineup this coming October.

Konstantin Komarek, LW, LulueaKomarek continues to improve his stock and should now be a player that every club is aware of. He has continuously gotten better and adapted to higher leagues over the course of the past couple seasons. This season was no difference, moving from the U20 team in Lulea to the senior team where he played hard, learned the ropes and was a reliable energy player who was learning to create offensive chances from the 4th line. When the playoffs began, Komarek worked his way up to the top line in Lulea and managed to tally a goal and a couple of assists before Lulea was knocked out in the semi-finals by Adam Larsson and his Skelleftea team.

Doug Hamilton, D, Niagara IceDogsHamilton is a very appealing prospect who brings the total package of size and skill.

ISS Head Scout Ross MacLean sees tremendous upside in the tall lanky d-men, “ he is an explosive skater for a big guy, has tons of room to build on his frame and for the most part displays a still very raw skill set. He would be an exciting addition for any NHL team and is the kind of player development coaches’ dream of getting to work with”.

Joel Edmundson, D, Moose Jaw WarriorsA bit of a late bloomer, was Moose Jaw’s 6th Rnd. Pick, 121st Overall in 2008 Bantam Draft, who has grown 4 inches since then. A rugged stay at home defensemen who has displayed the edge and aggression that has gotten many scouts excited about his potential for the next level.

Connor Murphy, D, USA Under-18 Murphy has a dynamic skill set and is blessed with size and strength but can still add a lot of build to his frame. Murphy has good hands, a strong shot and is generally very confident with the puck. High risk(due to his health) high reward type of prospect.

Ryan Sproul, D, Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsHis ability to skate is not often attributed to someone of his size, but he is extremely mobile and very quick on his feet. Offensively, Hamilton has impressive hands and quickness that allow him to really make things happen.

Robbie Russo, D, USA Under-18We never get tried of pumping up this kid tires. Russo is the anchor and most reliable defender as well as potentially the most reliable overall player on the US roster and it’s a safe bet to say his role won’t change much in Germany at the U18 World Championships. Russo has first round potential and should rank among the most elite defenders available for this year’s NHL draft

Andy Welinski, D, Green Bay GamblersStarted season slowly but over the last 2 months has shown improvement in overall game and appears to be playing with much greater level of confidence than earlier this season. Scout like his offensive upside and have noted over the past couple of months he has done a better job of picking his spots when looking to jump into the rush and play an offensive style. Will have scouts attention during Green Bay’s Quarter Final matchup against Indiana Ice.

Jonathan Racine, D, Shawinigan CataractesDraft Riser!! Has really stepped up his game since mid season and has become one of the young leaders on the Cataractes. Racine has a good physical element to his game and loves to close out hits behind the net and in the corners. Still needs to learn to get rid of the puck a bit faster, but overall he had a good showing at the event and looks to be a strong mid-round NHL draft prospect.

Falling

Myles Bell, D, Regina PatsThe powerful and intense defender was left on the Canadian U18 team as there are concerns over his decision making with the puck. There is no denying his skill but Bell has shown that he wants the puck and he wants to rush it as much as possible. Most scouts believe Bell is better suited as hardnosed physical defender who can provide some secondary offense but Bell has not shown that he is willing to fall into this role. The potential for Bell is off the charts and if he can continue to develop he can still be the player that he wants to be but right now that little bit of risky behavior has some teams distancing themselves.